Types of Passengers, Part 1: These are the Worst Seatmates on a Plane.

Whether it’s a short-haul or long-haul flight, a business trip or a vacation, fellow passengers have the ability to drive one to madness. In this piece, we delve into the typology of the most dreadful passenger types that many can relate to.

1. The Chatty Cathy:
This individual seems to possess an unlimited supply of words and an insatiable desire to share every mundane detail of their life. They strike up conversations without hesitation, disregarding any subtle cues for peace and quiet. Drowning in their seemingly endless stream of words, one can only hope for a moment of respite.

2. The Armrest Hogger:
Claiming dominance over the armrests, this passenger possesses a remarkable ability to expand their personal space at the expense of others. They nonchalantly sprawl their limbs, leaving neighboring passengers squeezed and uncomfortable. Negotiating for even the slightest portion of the armrest becomes a battle not easily won.

3. The Aromatic Adventurer:
Unaware or perhaps indifferent to the concept of personal hygiene, this passenger emits odors that assault the senses. Whether it’s pungent body odor or an overly fragrant perfume, sharing an enclosed cabin with such an olfactory offender is a sensory challenge that requires great endurance.

4. The Seat Recliner:
With a single push of a button, this passenger transforms their seat into a personal La-Z-Boy recliner, oblivious to the discomfort they cause to the person seated behind them. Knees are crushed, laptops are rendered unusable, and meals become a precarious balancing act as the Seat Recliner luxuriates in their newfound relaxation.

5. The Overhead Bin Dominator:
Navigating the cabin with the grace of a bulldozer, this passenger hoards an excessive amount of carry-on luggage, claiming all available overhead bin space for themselves. Fellow travelers are left scrambling, forced to stow their belongings far from their reach. The Overhead Bin Dominator reveals their true colors as they selfishly guard their precious possessions.

6. The Crying Baby Sympathizer:
While empathizing with parents dealing with an inconsolable infant is a noble sentiment, this passenger takes it to an extreme. They shower the child with unwarranted attention and offer unsolicited advice, inadvertently prolonging the ordeal for everyone within earshot. Their intentions may be good, but their actions only exacerbate the situation.

7. The Inattentive Parent:
This passenger seems blissfully unaware of their child’s misbehavior, allowing them to roam freely and disrupt the peace of others. From incessant kicking of seatbacks to loud tantrums, this pint-sized offender creates a cacophony of chaos that tests the patience of even the most tolerant fellow travelers.

8. The Reclined Seat Fighter:
When confronted with the audacity of a reclined seat in front of them, this passenger wages war. Engaging in a series of covert maneuvers involving knee jabs, passive-aggressive shoves, and disapproving glances, they seek to reclaim their diminished legroom at any cost. The battle between comfort and personal space unfolds in this airborne arena.

These archetypal passenger types exist on flights worldwide, subjecting unfortunate fellow travelers to a rollercoaster ride of exasperation and endurance. Despite the familiarity of these characters, one can only hope for more considerate skies where mutual respect and courtesy prevail.

David Baker

David Baker